as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
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Recent Examples of sleuths
Unfortunately for would-be sleuths, the former flames were never very vocal about their relationship on social media.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Sometimes butting heads with — but ultimately championing — the team of sleuths, Strauss was a valuable asset to the BAU.
—Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
How online sleuths impact reality TV The open secret of reality TV is that the producers control the narrative.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Last year, there were a few, most notably when online sleuths uncovered past racist clips and posts from two of the Islanders (they were both ultimately kicked off the show mid-season following fan backlash).
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Unsurprisingly, online sleuths had some thoughts.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 1 June 2026
That story appears in fragments across the album; sleuths will have a field day scouring the record for its copious Easter eggs.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Independent journalists, online sleuths and criminal case followers traveled from across the country to track developments on the missing child’s case.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Pilots’ voices from the last seconds of a fatal cargo plane crash have been re-created by Internet sleuths using software and AI tools.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Sometimes butting heads with — but ultimately championing — the team of sleuths, Strauss was a valuable asset to the BAU.
—Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
How online sleuths impact reality TV The open secret of reality TV is that the producers control the narrative.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Last year, there were a few, most notably when online sleuths uncovered past racist clips and posts from two of the Islanders (they were both ultimately kicked off the show mid-season following fan backlash).
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Unsurprisingly, online sleuths had some thoughts.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 1 June 2026
That story appears in fragments across the album; sleuths will have a field day scouring the record for its copious Easter eggs.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Independent journalists, online sleuths and criminal case followers traveled from across the country to track developments on the missing child’s case.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Pilots’ voices from the last seconds of a fatal cargo plane crash have been re-created by Internet sleuths using software and AI tools.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuths
Noun
-
Police urge anyone with information to call KCPD detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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Using security camera video and witness statements, detectives identified Burnside as the shooting suspect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The woman told investigators that Landry was jealous of Stewart.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Federal investigators from the NTSB and FAA are probing the cause as aviation experts highlight longstanding concerns over lax maintenance standards and safety culture in the skydiving industry.—
Kristin M. Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleuths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuths. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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